Intriguing glance...

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"Chou. Kazehaya Chou.
Pleased to meet you too."

She was clearly uncomfortable.

She continuously fidgeted
as her eyes darted all over the room—
making the atmosphere even more awkward.

"Um...have a seat?"

Shouta's offer came out as more of a question
and he inwardly cringed at himself.

"Ah, thanks.
I hadn't even noticed I was standing the whole time."

She chuckled softly
as she took a seat beside him.

"Sorry if it's awkward.
I'm not good at talking...if that makes sense."

He watched her, amused by her words.
She was fully capable of holding up a conversation,
whatever made her think otherwise?

"Say, Chou-chan, would you know any reasons
why a girl would avoid a guy?"

Shouta asked with his head propped up on his arm.
His mind was in an otherworldly state—
a daze.

"You're asking me for...
advice about girls?
Did you get dumped or something?"

Chou was taken aback.
She had absolutely no experience with relationships
considering two years ago, she left the country—
she left him.
The boy who had broken down her walls
and had seen the true her.

Sure, Chou had a couple of admirers here and there,
but none of them had a slight resemblance of what Chou
liked in him— his passion and kindness.

"I guess you could put it that way?
No, no. The proper term would be:
'I was rejected.'."

He sighed.

"There are many causes...
maybe you hurt her,
maybe she likes you,
I don't know...ask someone with experience."

His head perked up
and his eyes widened in surprise.

"D-Did I say something wrong?"

Her thoughtful expression switched to a panicked one.

"Maybe I hurt her...I should consider her feelings too.
Thank you, Chou-chan!"

He snapped from his dazed state
and returned to his cheerful mood.

Shouta furiously shook hands with the girl
while saying his thanks.

"I-It was nothing, really.
All I did was say some random stuff."

"Nonsense!
Who knows what I could've done,
had you not pointed that out. Arigato!"

Chou stared at the boy
amused at his excessive amount of joy
to the discovery.

That girl must mean a lot to him.